When the pandemic hit back in 2020, and most of the country started working from home, people rejoiced at being able to work remotely – including me!

In recent years, there’s been a growing dialogue around mental health in the law – a profession that has a reputation for long hours and intense work. A number of studies and changing priorities have put working hours under the microscope, with more people beginning to ask questions about working practices and the demands often expected of lawyers.

A fantastic academic record isn’t enough to satisfy recruiters in the legal profession. They also want to know that you can represent the firm to clients and work well with colleagues. Equally, recruiters want to see that you’ve made an informed decision about becoming a solicitor or barrister.

As summer draws to an end, that ‘back to school’ feeling is certainly lingering. Why not top up your commercial awareness before returning to university next month? This week’s commercial news round-up covers a variety of business news stories you should know about.

Half of working mothers in the legal profession are taking on more childcare responsibilities than their partners during the UK’s lockdown, a survey conducted by the team behind the First 100 Years Project reports.

Freya MacCormack, a disputes associate at Winston & Strawn London LLP, talks about the high level of responsibility available at the firm (including advocacy), the criteria she used to choose firms and the type of work she’s involved with day to day. 

The winners of the 2023 National Accident Helpline’s Future Legal Mind competition have been revealed, with Emily Eastburn-Pentreath taking the title for the postgraduate category and Stephanie Anais becoming the latest undergraduate winner. 

The shining lights of the student pro bono scene were celebrated on 26 April at the annual LawWorks & Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards. Held at the House of Commons, the awards are designed to recognise the exceptional work being done by students and their law schools around the UK in the provision of free legal advice and support.

What's the deal with conditional fee agreements and defamation claims?

Over the summer holidays, I inhaled most of the top TV shows and movies on Netflix. After the latest season of Stranger Things, I’m at a point where I’m thinking of dropping my Netflix subscription, I just can’t find any shows on Netflix that appeal to me anymore.

This month, love is in the air, yet the inevitable deadlines for training contracts and vacation schemes are fast approaching. Junior lawyers and students often manifest a love-hate relationship with the application process for any role. In this article I hope to provide some reassurance that there are several factors that you can control in that process, without sending chocolates and flowers (save those for your actual loved ones!). 

With the covid-induced backlog of cases pushing the already strained courts system to breaking point in the UK, commentators such as Simon Jenkins (columnist for The Guardian) are questioning whether now is the right time for the government to examine and overhaul the archaic system of trial by jury.

With so much happening in Birmingham over the next few years, it’s an exciting time to be working and training in the second city.

If there was a question that fills me with dread, it's this one. Yes, I know I chose the Bar and yes, there was a reason for that. If I’m honest, I chose the Bar because of the earning prospects.

Graduate resourcing advisor Molly Hill offers a detailed and practical insight into the application process at leading City law firm White & Case. 

Apprenticeships in the legal sector have been gaining momentum over the past couple of years. The traditional route to being a lawyer has been challenged by, among other things, the apprenticeship levy, the rise of legal executives, increasing paralegal numbers, alternative business structures and most recently the Solicitors Qualifying Exam.

Apprenticeships have been gaining momentum in the legal sector for the past couple of years.

What factors led Debenhams to become the latest casualty of the high street?